January 2015 Surgery Sisters
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I am relatively new and need to be added to the top. My surgery is scheduled for tomorrow in NYC, but we are having a F***g blizzard starting today!!! I don't know if the surgery will be canceled and I'm on the verge of tears because I just want it over with! I can head into the city this afternoon and can stay overnight there, but I don't know if the surgeons will be there. Waiting to hear. Can any of this be more stressful?
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Jabec, Sorry to hear that your surgery may be in jeopardy because of the weather. I'm in the northeast also and have been watching the weather forecasts for NYC. I imagine your anxiety level is through the roof - mind would be. Hang in there! Hopefully your surgeons can let you know if it makes sense for you to head into NYC today.
Update on my surgery: Had BMX on 1/16 and TUG reconstructions. Unfortunately, there were clotting issues during the reconstruction process and it failed. So, I have 12-14 inches of incisions on each leg with nothing to show for it. It was disappointing to learn that when I was in recovery (I found out by myself...ps never came to tell me which I'm totally annoyed about), but I've come to accept it over the last week. The good news is the SNB showed no cancer in the nodes. Hoping the final pathology report will show the same thing.
To all who have had your surgeries so far: Hope you are healing well and fingers crossed for favorable path reports!
To all who are scheduled for surgery: Hang in there. It will be behind you before you know it.
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Fralaliso, I'm so sorry your surgery didn't work out!! That really sucks, but it is good news that the nodes were clear. Hope the final path report is good too.
thanks for understanding about my anxiety level b/c my husband and dad don't get it. I found out that both surgeons are available for the surgery tomorrow, but the hospital just decided to cancel all surgeries. So, now I have to wait another week to have this done. I'm so frustrated!
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jabec, I'm so sorry you have to wait another week. I hate when plans change. Good luck to you next week, and I hope it goes very well.
fralaliso, I'm glad your nodes looked good but how disappointing to know the reconstruction didn't work. I'm so sorry. What happens now for you?
Today is the first day I woke up feeling pretty good in my arm pit and across my incision. Perhaps I've turned a corner in my healing? I,m 17 post MX, with no recon.
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fralaliso -- Ugh about the failed reconstruction! And, about the PS's communications failures. My surgeon likes to visit with you before the surgery but essentially leaves the "post-surgery" chat to his nurse. I guess I don't mind that if there haven't been any complications, but in your case.....
jabec -- I also feel for you! Waiting for surgery is no fun. I went through five months of chemo and thought I'd get my surgery in mid-December. But, PS overbooked himself (people trying to get surgery done before the end of the year), and I didn't get booked until January 12. Here's hoping you don't have to wait more than a week or so for your operation.
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Jabec, Sorry your surgery for tomorrow was cancelled. That sucks! Fingers crossed for no snow next week for your new surgery date.
CassieCat, Glad you are feeling go to day with no armpit or incision pain. Yay! At this point, no further plans for any on other reconstruction attempts. Honestly, it's just not as important to me now as it was prior to the BMX, so I think I'm going to be ok with no reconstruction.
Just got a call from my BS a couple hours ago and she gave me news that shocked me. Although I opted for a BMX, we thought I only had cancer in my right breast. Surprise! Post surgery pathology shows a new, invasive cancer in my left breast also. She didn't have all the details yet about the new cancer so I don't know if it is also ER+, PR+, etc., but the tumor is much smaller than the right breast tumor (.5cm vs. 2.91cm). Who knows how long this new cancer would have gone undetected (I've got extremely dense breasts), so I am just so thankful that I opted for a BMX. Wow.
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sorry about ur surgery jabec
Fralasio wow that is good news that was caught
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fralaliso, wow! So great it was caught, but OMG how scary that it was there! This is one of the reasons I'm so anxious to have my surgery done - I need to know that all cancer and potential cancer is gone.
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Fralaliso- I am sorry for the unsuccessful reconstruction...how disappointing. Very insensitive of the surgeon not to communicate with you afterwards. I hope he had a good reason. Not all doctors have bed side manners and it's unfortunate that they don't think it's important.
Praise God that you chose BMX! I am very happy for you.
Jabec- waiting for surgery is nerve-racking and stressful and then to be told sx is postponed-that seems cruel. I am sorry. I understand you want this beast out of you as soon as possible. A lot of things in life we have no control over. Hang in there and please stay safe with this blizzard.
Cassie- It is good to hear you are on the mend. I started to feel pretty good around 3 weeks post op. Please do be careful though because it is very easy to over doing it.
It is nice to be able to sleep in my bed again. It is hard to find a position to be comfortable on the recliner. I am starting to think that it takes longer to recover with TE than MX alone. I will have my first fill this Thursday and hoping that will slightly move the TE to a different place so it is not digging in my rib.
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I'm only 5 days post op and my pain levels are very manageable with valium. I had direct implants and fat grafting. I'm taking motrin during the day and a vicodin at night. My main complaint is the drains tugging and pulling. Any advice? I do have them anchored to my bra but the slightest movements are very uncomfortable.
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Try putting a piece tape ( preferably paper tape) about 1 inch from tubing entry site to anchor tube.Read somewhere that this may help keep the tube from moving. Good luck.
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I thought it was too late to join this group but my BS called today and my surgery is scheduled for this Friday. My emotions are all over the place. I'm trying to get everything in place and continue to work through Thursday. I teach middle school and the idea of handing my classes over to someone else is killing me. I still haven't decided what kind of implants I want. Any thoughts???
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fralaliso, it's funny what you said about reconstruction. I was 100% certain I'd do it eventually, until after surgery. Now, it just doesn't seem quite so certain. After I go through rads and heal up, I can decide. Crazy about finding cancer in the other breast! I'm so glad for you that you opted for the BMX.
Loveroflife, I think you're right about recovering with TEs vs. MX only. Hoping things continue to feel better for you and that sleeping in your bed will lead to better rest and better healing.
dmarie7, I think trying to tape down your drains a bit might be helpful. If you can keep them from tugging right at the site where they are exiting your body, you might feel better.
Msmath, I'm a teacher too - math, and I'm guessing by your username that that is your subject as well.
I've been on leave since the beginning of the school year and am antsy to get back! I haven't had any recon yet so can't give you any advice, but I know there are good threads here about the different options. Good luck to you as you head into surgery this week. The waiting is tough, I know. And then one day, you're on the other side of it. I had a pretty good day today - definitely my best since surgery. Walked almost two miles with a friend and just felt better mentally, too, for most of the day.
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I have been watching for a few days but need to jump in. My outpatient surgery is scheduled for Thursday. I live in Colorado and though no super snowstorms like Jabec is dealing with we have been getting frequent snow and ice. Since I live out of town I have put together a plan to make sure I can make it to surgery--stay in motel a few miles from surgery center with check in the day before surgery then stay for the week until my follow-up. Since I am single and live alone a friend had volunteered to come stay with me the night before, drive me to and from surgery and stay overnight after surgery.
My friend's former husband-and still close friend-died 2 weeks ago but that gave enough time for the funeral and her children/grandchildren visiting from out of town so she said she would call me last week to make final arrangements. She didn't call so I called this afternoon--though at dinner time no answer so left message. I am very anxious--it is awful late to find someone else to come stay overnight with me and surgery center will no release me if I do not have someone to pick me up. As if it wasn't stressful enough just to get diagnosed with breast cancer and be waiting for surgery. So I am up in the air like Jabec about whether I will get surgery this week. May not have to wait for chemo to loose my hair
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fralaliso, I'm so thankful you decided to go with the BMX. It must feel like such a relief knowing the cancer was detected and removed. I just had to sign my surgical waiver to have the BMX done. I opted for the procedure for a few reasons one being, my breasts are very dense and two my genetic testing came back as negative but with a variance.
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Birder - I really hope you hear from your friend and that it works out for her to help you! Not having things in your control is so tough, especially when your friend must know how important this is. Keep us posted.
update for me - we had the blizzard that wasn't. It was a total bust with no more snow than a regular snowstorm (and less than some we've had)! I just texted my contact at the hospital asking if it's possible they will re-open the OR soon and I can still have the surgery today. She said no. The lack of major snow is just adding insult to injury, but there's nothing I can do about it. Sigh...
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Good morning everyone, this is my 1st post. I had a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy Jan 15th and feel I should have began posting thoughts / questions / etc... much, much sooner. -
Good morning! Hello to the newcomers! Sorry you had to meet us here but I've come to know that these group of women are great! Glad to hear that those who've had surgery are doing well! Sorry to hear about the failed reconstruction and canceled surgery too! I can't imagine the frustration! My BMX is scheduled for tomorrow and I think my anxiety level is crazy that I'm starting to make myself nauseous! Need some tips to "calm down"!
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Birder, That's a good idea to stay a week at the hotel until your one-week follow-up. I did the long car ride for that and it set me back in my healing. I am now trying to decide what to do because I have a three-week follow-up and I don't want to be in the car for so long again! It is too bumpy and it doesn't help with healing at all! So I am going to try to find out if it's really necessary to come in for that appointment. It's with the radiation oncologist but not for the tattoos or anything, just a consultation.
Jabec, I know what you mean about your husband and dad not getting it. Guys are just not great to talk about these things with! My husband gets really tired of it, especially if I'm asking him advice about decisions. He has been a fantastic help and support, but discussing all the details, not so much!
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MrsTee, The anxiety beforehand is really hard- I had that as soon as my surgery had a set date- crazy anxiety. Some people said xanax helped them. I was never given that but I did just try to distract myself with nice things to do as much as I could. I felt so much better once the surgery was over, just to have accomplished it and to have it behind me. Best of luck tomorrow! You will do great!
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Welcome Fearless! Glad to hear your surgery is behind you.
Jabec, yes, the blizzard that never was is right! So unfortunate that the hospital panicked and cancelled surgeries so early. Fingers crossed for no blizzard threats on 2/3!
Birder, Hope you hear from your friend soon.
Msmath, looks like we have a similar dx (without the second bc, of course). Best wishes on your surgery this Friday. The whole issue of effective screening for extremely dense breasts needs a lot more attention IMO. Sounds like you're making a sound choice with the BMX.
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Hi MrsTee! Yes, I had major anxiety before surgery as well. I got through it by trying to stay extremely busy the day before with logistical issues (writing out the kids' schedules for my husband, organizing my house for first floor living for a while since the TUG reconstruction would keep me from doing stairs for a few days, getting caught up on household paperwork and filing, taking the dog for a nice long walk, etc.). It's a tough day, but you'll get through it and will be so happy when the surgery is behind you. Will be sending positive vibes your way tomorrow.
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p.s. Birder, Bring your own clean towels to the hotel to dry off with after a shower before surgery because the hotel towels just don't feel clean enough for that.
By the way, I'm new here. Hi everyone! Glad to have surgery sisters to talk to!!
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Birder, I hope your friend gets back to you today and that you will know one way or another whether or not you're having surgery Thursday. I have had some ativan on hand since being diagnosed for my most anxious days/nights. It really helps.
jabec, I'm sorry. That really sucks.
Let us know when they get you re-scheduled.fearless huron, welcome. How is your recovery going? Do you have any other treatments ahead of you, or was surgery the only/last part of your treatment?
MrsTee, good luck tomorrow! Like I said, Ativan helped me. I hate to sound like I'm pushing drugs, but for me, at night when I'm trying to fall asleep, it really helps. That's the worst time for me. My BS prescribed it back in August. The other thing is to try and keep busy.
oceangirl, is this your first consulation for rads? Mine was about an hour, but it was the first time I was meeting the RO and hearing more about why rads were being recommended, etc.
Good luck to everyone waiting, and to everyone now recovering. I'm 18 days post MX and feeling much better this week.
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Hi Everyone,
I am scared and anxious going in for a Bilateral MX on Jan 30 at MGH in Boston. I had DCIS, a lumpectomy on Jan 7. They found IDC on my L breast and now I am going in for a BMX. I have dense breasts and so the decision came easy for me. Most worried about what they will find. I had lympathic invasion noted in the pathology report. Did it reach my lymph nodes, beyond? Hate to think... Any advice going in?
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Jabec- Sorry your surgery had to be rescheduled. I was worried about a bad winter storm, gastro viruses and the flu before my surgery but all went as planned. I ,too had DCIS high grade and went straight for a bilateral mastectomy w/ tissue expanders.
fralaliso-Good for you in going for the BMX! My breasts are dense too and I feared they might have missed something so I opted for the BMX. Sorry for the failed reconstruction.
Cassiecat- I'm so happy to hear you've turned the corner and can get out and walk 2 miles!
Loveroflife- I totally understand trying to get in a comfortable sleeping position with the tissue expanders in place. So difficult.
Birder- I hope you have someone come through for you and stay with you. You will need it!
MrsTee- Good luck for tomorrow. Remember the lip balm and something to help you have a bowel movement! May your anxiety levels decrease and I will send positive thoughts your way. Hugs to you!
MsMath- Good for you in taking control and opting for a bilateral mastectomy. I did the same.
PositiveSpirit- I'll be thinking of you on the 30th. You made the right decision going for a BMX. I had a calm come over me the day of surgery. Just kept on thinking I want this cancer out of me. I am in control.
So I am 1 week post op from my BMX. It's definitely no picnic in the park when it comes to recovery. I finally slept on my back last night in the bed (my hubby places a hand behind my back to guide me down into a laying position)Trying to get pillows positioned in a recliner was NOT comfortable for me so a good nights rest was welcomed. I have engaged my ab muscles like never before! I had swelling in my feet and legs that made me feel like a sausage in it's casing. They told me that it was from the IV fluids I received while in the hospital. That has gone away now. I can finally wipe after I go to the bathroom! Since they removed SLN from both arms I am still TRex like. Muscle relaxers were prescribed for me and they help tremendously! I still get cramping on the right side of my chest. They HURT something awful but I have been reminding myself to do some deep breathing exercises and that helps too. My drains weren't ready to come out on Monday so maybe they can tomorrow! I can tell you I'm not as painful like one week ago so it does improve. Sorry if I'm blabbering but between the Percocet and Flexiral I am loopey.
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Hi Fralaliso,
I am sorry to hear about IDC in your other breast. I was recently diagnosed with IDC and also have dense breast tissue. My BMX is scheduled for Friday Jan 30 and I am so scared. I worry the most about whether the IDC on the L breast has reached the lymph nodes, etc...but I have some fear about finding cancer in my R breast as well. Trying to stay positive and sending you the best wishes for a good outcome. Hang in there. It was comforting to see your note and not feel all alone.
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This morning I got hold of my friend who was going to accompany me to surgery, take me back to the motel and spend the night. Turns out she had returned my call last night while I was at laundromat (in to everything else my washer broke) and I did not hear the call and stupid smart phone did not show any indication I had a message--arrghh, thanks to not knowing my reflux woke me in the middle of the night with stomach pain.
Fortunately my friend is coming through on her commitment. As she would prefer to just stay overnight and during the day following surgery (as medical says I need someone 24 hours after surgery) I have asked a small group of other friends to come up over the week end and early next week to check on me, give me support and see if I need a ride to get anything (tho I am hopeful I will be able to drive in a couple of days I have this back up plan).
Sure want to get this show on the road and get these cancerous tumors out so I can get on with the rest of the treatment as soon as I am healed from surgery. -
Birder - I am so happy that your friend came through! Good luck with everything.
positive spirit - the good news is that it will be over soon. please keep us posted.
trailrose - thanks for your messages and it's encouraging to hear that things are getting easier a week out.
cassie cat - really glad that you're feeling a lot better
I'm rescheduled for the 3rd after the non-blizzard that had the hospital cancel all surgeries yesterday. I think my body has finally accepted defeat and instead of stressing all night, I actually slept until my alarm woke me for the first time in 2 months. How long will it be until I can drive after BMX with TE's? My in-laws are taking the family on a vacation Feb 15th and I was hoping there was a chance I could go if I had the surgery yesterday like scheduled. Now,it's seems clear that I won't be able to go since the surgery was rescheduled. I'm hoping I will be able to stay home alone and can send my husband and kids on the vacation but is it possible for me to stay alone for a week starting 12 days post surgery? Will I be able to drive by then? My in-laws are very reluctant to take my kids without my husband b/c it's going out of the country and I don't want my kids to miss out. Any thoughts?
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I am thinking of all of you as I prepare for my own BMX on Jan 30. I am in awe of the amazing women in this January group..I think the world is a better place with all of you. I go in tomorrow afternoon for the dye/nuclear medicine jabs. I think I am the first patient into surgery on Jan 30 morning at MGH in Boston and the docs said 4-5 hr operation altogether with BMX and direct implants.
Jabec: Wish you the best of luck when you head for your surgery...I will check up on you when I get home from mine. I know the BMX surgery date for me is right here and I am ready for it.
Fralaliso: so glad they caught the cancer in the other breast. You post allows me to feel confident about my decision for BMX
Birder: Friends coming through is something really important. Surround yourself with lots of support - looks like you are planning this already. My dx is similar to yours..out with the cancer and sending you lots of positive energy for recovery.
Cassie: Thanks for the note. Encouraging to see that you are feeling better.
Trailrose: Thanks for sharing - helps me understand what to expect.
Oceangirl: Welcome..take care in healing up.
MrsTee: Thinking of you as you go through surgery today. Sending you lots of reiki energy and wishes for a smooth surgery.
Fearless: recover well
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